ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Defence
SARANG TO PERFORM AT MAKS AIR SHOW IN RUSSIA 20 JULY 2021
The Sarang Helicopter Display Team of the IAF is all set to perform for the first time at the MAKS International Air Show held at Zhukovsky International Airport, Russia. The air show is a biennial fixture and this year’s edition is scheduled from 20 July 2021 to 25 July 2021.
This is the first occasion when the Sarang Team is performing its four helicopter aerobatics display in Russia, with its ‘Made in India’ ‘Dhruv’ Advanced Light Helicopters . These HAL manufactured machines have hinge less rotors and are equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, which makes them extremely suitable for military aviation. Apart from the IAF, the Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard also operate this helicopter.
The Sarang Team was formed in 2003 at Bangalore and its first international display was at the Asian Aerospace Airshow at Singapore in 2004. Since then, Sarang has represented Indian aviation at air shows and ceremonial occasions in UAE, Germany, UK, Bahrain, Mauritius and Sri Lanka till date. Apart from aerobatics displays at national and international venues, the team has also taken active part in numerous Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Missions like Op Rahat in Uttarakhand , Cyclone Ockhi in Kerala  and Op Karuna flood relief in Kerala .
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
MAHATMA GANDHI’S BIRTH ANNIVERSARY AND SWACHHATA HI SEVA OBSERVED IN PIB KOLKATA
Kolkata, October, 2, 2018
Press Information Bureau, Kolkata celebrated 150th birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi with speeches, songs and recitations on Gandhi’s teachings and ideas along with campaigning for Swachh Bharat Mission. Several cultural performances including songs and puppet dance by the Song and Drama Division were held to mark the occasion. Quiz competition on swachhata was also held.
Describing Gandhiji as the apostle of peace and true believer of non-violence, Shri Chinmay Chakravarty, Joint Director, PIB, threw some light on the life and ideals of the father of the Nation and on the importance of cleanliness. He urged all to fulfill Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of a clean and hygienic India as well as to get inspired by Gandhiji for truthfulness. Speakers spoke about the historical contributions and the monumental role played by Mahatma Gandhi for our country achieving freedom from the British colonial and Mahatma’s teachings of strengthening bonds of communal harmony, brotherhood, amity and reviving our secular traditions. Dr. Suresh Banerjee who also was the chief guest, spoke on different aspects of life and philosophy followed by Gandhiji.
Dignitaries included, Shri Ajay Mhamia, Dy. Director, PIB, Shri Khurshid Mallick, Dy. Director, Publications Division, Smt. Chitra Gupta, Dy. Director, PIB, Shri Samrat Bandhopadhyay, Dy. Director, PIB among others.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Union Sports Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju addresses BRICS Youth Summit; highlights work done by Indian youth volunteers during Covid 19
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Kiren Rijiju attended the VIth BRICS Youth Summit and meeting of BRICS Ministers through a virtual programme, on Tuesday. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Rijiju stressed on the importance of the contribution of the youth across the globe in fighting the on-going Coronavirus pandemic.
Citing India’s example at the world forum, Shri Rijiju said, “Even in this grave reality of our world today, we saw; as all else stood still in the world, the Youth, the young men and women carried their people to safety, security and most importantly, to progress and hope, against all odds. In India alone, over a million volunteers have taken action to combat the threat posed directly by COVID-19, and also thereafter, helping to tackle the aftereffects from the pandemic.”
Youth volunteers of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan , National Service Scheme , Bharat Scouts and Guides have been in the forefront of war against Covid 19 across India, working alongside civil administrations, helping the elderly and the poor to cope with the pandemic and donating blood and plasma to Covid patients. The initiatives of Indian volunteers was richly appreciated by all.
Speaking about the need to galvanize the strength and support of all BRICS nations to further the common goals of assimilating ‘volunteering’ into peace and development and beyond, Shri Rijiju said, “Indeed we stand firmly together with a renewed commitment as BRICS nations. Our energy rejuvenated, with the common challenges and so also the common resolutions we must arrive at, to support global and regional needs, in health education, culture, art, so also trade and beyond.” He also stressed on the need to create a robust infrastructure for the development of volunteerism, which he said, “will prove critical to our endeavors as BRICS nations, going forward.”
Closing his address, Shri Rijiju said, “India is committed to taking forward the commitment and ideas of BRICS laid down by our Prime Minister during BRICS Leaders Summit held from time to time. I again reiterate our commitment to world peace and harmony and engagement of youth in service to mankind.”
President's Secretariat
President of India Addresses Indian Community in Philippines; Calls Upon to Avail of The Opportunities that India Today Offers - for Innovation, Investment, Research and Education
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, attended the Indian Community Reception hosted by Shri Jaideep Mazumdar, Ambassador of India to the Philippines in Manila today .
Addressing the gathering, the President said that Indian community in the Philippines has been a strong bond of friendship between our two countries for decades. The size of the diaspora has grown remarkably over the last few years. All of them are contributing to the economy and society of the Philippines and to the image of India and Indians in the Philippines.
The President said that in our efforts to build a new India, we need Indian Diaspora’s support and helping hand. He called upon them to avail of the opportunities that India today offers - for innovation, investment, research and education. He said that India’s flagship initiatives such as Make in India, Digital India, Skill India, Ganga Rejuvenation Project, Swachh Bharat Mission, Smart Cities and Jal Jeevan Mission seek their partnership.
The President said that India’s bilateral economic engagement in terms of investment and presence of Indian companies in the Philippines is on the upswing. India-Philippines trade has risen to nearly US$ 2.5 billion. However, for our two fast-growing economies, the quantum of our bilateral trade is still modest. There is much potential which needs to be tapped. He expressed confidence that with Indian community’s initiatives and enterprise; we can do much more to bring prosperity to the two countries.
Earlier in the day, the President unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at Miriam College, Quezon City in the presence of the Mayor of the City and other dignitaries. Speaking on the occasion, the President said that this bust of Mahatma Gandhi is a gift from the people of India to people of Philippines. But the Mahatma belongs to all peoples, all cultures and all societies. May he continue to guide us in our shared journey of peace, harmony and sustainable development for all.
Tomorrow morning , the President will leave for Japan – the final leg of his state visit to two nations.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Smt Smriti Zubin Irani calls for adopting Yoga in our daily lives for Overall Mental and Physical Fitness
Union Minister for Women and Child Development and Textiles Smt Smriti Zubin Irani has said that the theme of seventh International Yoga Day ‘Yoga For Wellness’ is now more relevant than ever. She called upon people for adopting Yoga in our daily lives for overall mental and physical fitness. In a tweet message, Smt Smriti Zubin Irani said, “ 7 years to this day global recognition was bestowed upon India’s rich legacy for holistic wellbeing in the form of #InternationalDayOfYoga . Theme ‘Yoga For Wellness’ is now more relevant than ever, let us adopt Yoga in our daily lives for overall mental and physical fitness.”
The annual celebration of health and fitness ‘International Day of Yoga’  was observed today with great enthusiasm all over the world. This year’s theme for International Yoga Day was “Yoga for wellness".
Ministry of Home Affairs
Heat Wave 2019: Workshop on Preparedness begins in Nagpur
To help States & districts prepare and implement Heat Action Plans
National Disaster Management Authority  in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra is conducting a two-day national workshop on Preparedness, Mitigation and Management of Heat Wave in Nagpur beginning today.
The workshop aims to sensitising States to the need of preparing and implementing specific Heat Action Plans in line with NDMA’s national guidelines on Heat Wave. It will also discuss emerging issues for the summer season this year and the way forward.
Speaking on the occasion, Lt. Gen. N. C. Marwah , Member, NDMA, emphasised upon the need to focus on mid and tong-term mitigation measures, to identify new islands of heat wave and to find local solutions for local problems.
Setting the agenda for the workshop, Dr. V. Thiruppugazh, Joint Secretary, NDMA, said we must not only aim towards zero heat mortality and reduced heat-related illnesses, but also on heat wave risk reduction.
Climate change is driving temperatures higher as well as increasing the frequency and severity of heat waves. A recent report by the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change  shows that in the Indian subcontinent, global warming impacts have come sooner and hit harder than predicted.
The first technical session aptly focused on Climate Change and Heat wave Risk Reduction.It discussed the roadmap for India’s Heat Wave Management planning in the broader global context of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals .
The India Meteorological Department  has indicated the probability of above-normal summer temperatures this year. As the temperatures will tend to rise, leading to stronger and longer heat waves, it will pay to be prepared. Also, timely and accurate warnings and their dissemination to vulnerable populations will ensure effective mitigation of heat related risks. These issues were discussed during the session on Early warning, Forecasting and Preparedness.
During the third session, some vulnerable States shared their experiences and best practices to help other stakeholders prepare and implement their Heat Action Plans. The success stories from these States emphasise the importance of advanced planning, better preparedness and timely intervention. This session was chaired by Dr. D. N. Sharma, Member, NDMA.
Members and senior officials from NDMA, experts on heat wave, early warning and forecasting agencies, State governments and research institutions are participating in the workshop.
Ministry of Defence
Supply of Equipment to Soldiers
The authorisation and holding of essential items including snow goggles, multi-purpose boots to the soldiers deployed in high attitude areas in Ladakh and Siachen is as per operational requirement of the Indian Army. The acquisition of such items is undertaken as per laid down specification and authorisation, which is an ongoing process for which necessary steps are taken regularly.
Further, there has been no instance of insufficient supply of the requisite sanctioned food for soldiers in high altitude areas in Siachen and Ladakh. The Government has authorised special scales of rations to all troops who are deployed above 12000 feet. The ration scales are designed based upon nutritional requirement of a soldier as per their energy expenditure under different climatic conditions. Soldiers are supplied with the authorised scale of rations, which caters to their nutritional requirement as well as their taste preference.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply to Shri Dushyant Singh and others in Lok Sabha today.
ABB/SS/Nampi/KA/DK/Savvy
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Cabinet
Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding between the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved a fresh Memorandum of Understanding  between the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India  and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand .
Impact:
The MRA intends to develop mutually beneficial relationship in the best interest of members, students and their organizations and is expected to provide an opportunity to the ICAI members to expand their professional horizons and to foster working relations between the two accounting institutes. The two accountancy institutes will have an opportunity to play the leadership role in addressing new challenges facing the profession in a globalized environment.
Benefits:
The engagement between the two Institutes is expected to result in greater employment opportunities for Indian Chartered Accountants and also greater remittances back to India.
Details:
The Memorandum of Understanding  between the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India  & Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand  would mutually recognize the qualification and admit the Members in good standing by prescribing a bridging mechanism between the two Institutes. The ICAI and CA ANZ aim to establish a mutual co-operation framework for the advancement of accounting knowledge, professional and intellectual development, advancement of the interests of their respective members and contribute positively to the development of the accounting profession in Australia, New Zealand and India.
Implementation strategy and Targets:
The MoU provides for mutual recognition of qualification of members of other body, who have achieved membership by completing the Examination, professional program and practical experience membership requirements of the two parties.
Background:
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India  is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament of India, The Chartered Accountants Act, 1949', to regulate the profession of Chartered Accountancy in India. Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand , emerged from the merger of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants in October 2014.
Prime Minister's Office
World Bank's G20 document praises India's financial inclusion via digital public infrastructure
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today shared finding of World Bank that the bank included in it's G20 document that India has achieved financial inclusion targets in just 6 years which would otherwise have taken at least 47 long years.
The Prime Minister posted on X
"India's leap in financial inclusion, powered by Digital Public Infrastructure!
A G20 document prepared by the @WorldBank shared a very interest point on India's growth. India has achieved financial inclusion targets in just 6 years which would otherwise have taken at least 47 long years.
Compliments to our robust digital payment infrastructure and the spirit of our people. It is equally a testament to rapid progress and innovation.
https://www.news18.com/india/if-not-for-digital-payment-infra-in-6-yrs-india-would-have-taken-47-yrs-to-achieve-growth-world-bank-8568140.html"
Ministry of Steel
‘MAKE IN INDIA’ Initiatives in Steel Sector
Domestically Manufactured Iron and Steel Products Policy has been notified on 8th May, 2017 and subsequently revised on 29th May, 2019 with a objective to encourage Make in India for steel and steel products. Under this Policy, Central Government Ministries / Departments and their agencies are required to mandatorily procure only those steel items which are manufactured in India.
Although Steel is a deregulated sector. The following steps have been taken by the Government to curtail steel imports and boost steel exports:-
- Domestically Manufactured Iron and Steel Products Policy, 2017 has been revised on 29.5.2019. It has reduced threshold minimum value of contract from Rs 50 Cr to Rs 25 Cr. It now includes Engineering, Procurement and Construction  contracts within the ambit of this policy apart from other things thereby promoting consumption of domestically produced goods and reducing imports.
- Government has notified 53 Steel and Steel Product  Orders which is applicable for both domestic productions as well as imports. The Steel Quality Control Order are implemented in the public interest for protection of human, animal and plant, safety of environment, prevention of unfair trade practices and national security.
- In order to protect the domestic industry from unfair external competition, appropriate trade measures such as anti-dumping duties and countervailing duties have been imposed.
- Government has several schemes for promoting exports, such as MEIS, Market Access initiative, Export Promotion Council etc.
This information was given by the Union Minister for steel Shri Dharmendra Pradhan in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Impact of Covid-19 on Agriculture
During the lockdown, the agriculture sector had functioned smoothly. Government of India has taken all necessary measures to ensure smooth operation of agriculture related activities. Farming and allied activities were exempted from the lockdown. Seed, pesticide, fertilizer etc. dealers / shops and other input related activities were allowed to open / free for making inputs available to the farmers. Inter and intra state movement of farm machinery specially combine harvesters was facilitated. As a result of the various steps taken by the Department, both harvesting activities of the Rabi Crop and sowing activities of Summer Crop took place in a systematic manner. However, no income assessment report which estimates the impact of Covid on the income of small and marginal farmers due to nation-wide lockdown is available.
Agriculture and Allied Sectors registered a growth of 3.4% during 2020-21 even as the overall economic growth declined by -7.2% during the same period. Growth rate of Agriculture and Allied sectors during the last 5 years are given below.

|
|
YEAR
|
|
Growth 
|
|
2016-17
|
|
6.8
|
|
2017-18|
|
6.6
|
|
2018-19 #
|
|
2.6
|
|
2019-20@
|
|
4.3
|
|
2020-21|
|
3.4
|
|
Source: Central Statistics Office  M/o Statistics & PI
|
|As per First Advance Estimates of National Income, 2020-21 released on 7th January 2021
|
|Third Revised Estimates, # Second Revised Estimate, @As per the First Revised Estimates for 2019-20 released on 29th January, 2021
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari dedicates and inaugurates five National Highway projects worth Rs. 4,135.91 crore at Panvel, Mumbai
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister announces new Chirner-Uran-JNPT-Chowk National Highway to ease traffic congestion in Panvel
Mumbai, 4 April 2022
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and laid foundation stone for National Highway projects worth Rs. 4,135.91 crore at a function held at Panvel, Mumbai on Sunday, April 3, 2022. The development work comprises dedication of Rs. 3,500 crore JNPT Port Road Connectivity Project to the nation and ground-breaking ceremony for work on National Highway No. 48, Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Kalamboli Junction Improvement Project and the eastern entrance of proposed Navi Mumbai International Airport.
Road project work has been completed to enhance the connectivity of JNPT, the country's largest container-handling port. The Union Minister reiterated the need for waterways that connect with Navi Mumbai Airport. He said as a shipping minister he had approved jetties at Belapur and Nerul. Now the state government needs to take this further to encourage waterways. If waterways get operational, one can easily reach Navi Mumbai Airport from any part of Mumbai within 13 to 21 minutes. The state should look after water taxis, he added.
The Minister announced a new National Highway to ease traffic congestion in Panvel. The new highway will start from Chirner via Uran-JNPT-Chowk and will connect to Goa-Mumbai highway, Mumbai-Pune Expressway and Mumbai-Pune old highway. This will help to reduce traffic in Panvel. The proposed highway has four tunnels. The length of the new highway is 32 KM and is proposed to be completed in the ‘Bharatmala’ scheme. JNPT and the proposed Navi Mumbai airport are the growth engines of the state, added the Minister.
The improvement work of Kalamboli Junction will help to reduce traffic congestion and also to reduce pollution. Because of Delhi-Mumbai highway, traffic on this road will rise by 1 lakh 85 thousand vehicles. Kalamboli junction will be a state-of-the-art junction, with four level roads costing Rs. 1,200 crore.
Shri Gadkari further suggested developing a smart city of 10 lakh capacity to reduce the burden on Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Now the era is of planned development. This will in turn usher in overall development of the state as well, said Shri Gadkari.
In the last seven years, 18 highway project works worth Rs. 10,000 crore have been sanctioned for National Highways in Raigad district, out of which five have been completed and 13 are in progress. Moreover, four works of Rs. 1792.75 crore were sanctioned recently, informed the Union Minister on this occasion. Considering the heavy rainfall in Konkan region, the Minister said that all the roads in Konkan would be made of cement concrete.PIB Mumbai | DJM/Samarjit Thakur/SC/DR
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